The Los Angeles Rams do have a logjam at tight end, but would Sean McVay really consider cutting his best all-around player at the position from last season over $7 million? Colby Parkinson caught eight touchdowns in 2025, tied with Jake Ferguson for the third-most by any tight end in the NFL, and he hauled in over 76% of his targets from Matthew Stafford. He caught another touchdown in the playoffs and had the third-most targets on the teams.
So why would the Rams cut him and make him a cap casualty
in 2026? Short answer: They won’t cut Parkinson.
Longer, probably wrong answer: Bleacher Report’s Dave Holcomb had an assignment to come up with five names around the league who could be cap casualties and decided to pick on Parkinson because L.A. drafted another tight end.
If the Rams don’t believe Parkinson will replicate that production, moving on would create additional financial flexibility while opening opportunities for younger, cheaper options. That’s especially relevant for a team fully committed to competing for a Super Bowl after its blockbuster acquisition of Myles Garrett.
While McVay could elect to carry an extra tight end, Parkinson’s contract structure and the team’s depth at the position make him one of the more notable veterans who could become expendable before Week 1.
The Rams are not going to cut Parkinson to save $7 million. It’s more likely they would extend him, actually.
Parkinson’s cap situation
Colby Parkinson carries a $9 million cap hit with $7 million in savings, if released. However, L.A. doesn’t have much experience remaining behind Tyler Higbee—a 33 year old with an injury history—if they let go of Parkinson.
- To date, Terrance Ferguson’s career has been underwhelming. He caught just one-of-six targets for 19 yards in the playoffs.
- Max Klare is a rookie.
- Davis Allen could get better with more opportunities. He has a career drop rate over 10%, which is bad.
Parkinson, who is barely 27, probably still has the highest probability of having a career in three years than any other tight end on the Rams roster.
McVay and Les Snead didn’t draft Ferguson and Klare to replace Parkinson. More likely, they’re looking for a bridge to cross after Higbee retires and assuming Davis Allen moves on.
Allen is the more likely player to be parted with, although L.A. probably just keeps five tight ends.
But cut Parkinson? I doubt it.
